A regional transfusion officer wrote to Dr Maycock at the Ministry of Health about a case of jaundice following a plasma transfusion; the author expressed his concerns about the lack of jaundice cases being reported by clinicians. Read more about A regional transfusion officer wrote to Dr Maycock at the Ministry of Health about a case of jaundice following a plasma transfusion; the author expressed his concerns about the lack of jaundice cases being reported by clinicians.
In a submission on the UK Government's response to Hepatitis C it was noted that "Until recently it was considered that lookback to identify recipients of blood transfusion who are at risk would be technically difficult; and as there was no effective treatment, to inform people they were at risk, when there was nothing that could be done about it, would increase distress without any benefit." Read more about In a submission on the UK Government's response to Hepatitis C it was noted that "Until recently it was considered that lookback to identify recipients of blood transfusion who are at risk would be technically difficult; and as there was no effective treatment, to inform people they were at risk, when there was nothing that could be done about it, would increase distress without any benefit."
Departmental lawyers advised the Secretary of State may have a duty of care to do whatever can reasonably be done to identify, inform, counsel and treat any who may have become infected as a result of NHS treatment. Read more about Departmental lawyers advised the Secretary of State may have a duty of care to do whatever can reasonably be done to identify, inform, counsel and treat any who may have become infected as a result of NHS treatment.
The MSBT examined progress at its meeting including increasing press enquiries about why the lookback exercise was going slowly and why ministers were not taking action. Read more about The MSBT examined progress at its meeting including increasing press enquiries about why the lookback exercise was going slowly and why ministers were not taking action.
An article published in "The Independent" highlighted the growing concern about the hepatitis risk to people with haemophilia. Read more about An article published in "The Independent" highlighted the growing concern about the hepatitis risk to people with haemophilia.
The "Evening Standard" reported that the UK Government was considering introducing a lookback, following the death of 12 people with haemophilia and concern about the risk to 3,000 patients who had received blood transfusions. Read more about The "Evening Standard" reported that the UK Government was considering introducing a lookback, following the death of 12 people with haemophilia and concern about the risk to 3,000 patients who had received blood transfusions.
At an MSBT meeting it was noted that the lookback had been slower in achieving its objectives than had been predicted and a number of options were considered. Read more about At an MSBT meeting it was noted that the lookback had been slower in achieving its objectives than had been predicted and a number of options were considered.
The MSBT identified two major bottlenecks that slowed down the lookback exercise: hospital records and counselling. Read more about The MSBT identified two major bottlenecks that slowed down the lookback exercise: hospital records and counselling.
In a policy paper on the current position on Hepatitis C, it was recorded that "Ministers decided not to speed up detection as the bottleneck would then transfer to hepatology clinics." Read more about In a policy paper on the current position on Hepatitis C, it was recorded that "Ministers decided not to speed up detection as the bottleneck would then transfer to hepatology clinics."
The establishment of the Hepatitis C Look Back Working Party gave no reason for Scotland to arrange for HCV lookback alone. Scotland was noted to be ready to proceed but was waiting for the other nations to catch up. Read more about The establishment of the Hepatitis C Look Back Working Party gave no reason for Scotland to arrange for HCV lookback alone. Scotland was noted to be ready to proceed but was waiting for the other nations to catch up.